Watmough should be fit for NRL opener

Manly coach Geoff Toovey is confident Anthony Watmough will be fit for the start of the NRL season after the NSW backrower injured his ribs in Saturday's 20-4 trial loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Watmough left the game after less than 10 minutes and looked in great discomfort on the sideline.

However, Toovey said Watmough only sat out the remainder of the game as a precaution.

"The scans don't show anything but he is very tender around the ribs," Toovey said.

"We've got three weeks off now but there doesn't appear to be any major damage."

The Sea Eagles do not play now until the season-opener against Brisbane on March 7 and Toovey admitted they need to improve dramatically.

"We were a bit sloppy in parts, some of our young blokes got caught out in the first half, but I thought our defence was better in the second half," Toovey said.

"We have a lot of hard work to do on the training paddock."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson was satisfied with his team's display but was keen to play down the excitement surrounding the club, with Sonny Bill Williams to make his return to rugby league in next Saturday's trial against the Wests Tigers.

"We've got a long way to go to win an NRL game, but it was a good foundation," Robinson said.

"We've worked hard as a team to understand who we are as a club. and get some simple principles in attack and defence.

"But we've done nothing yet. We've assembled a new squad, but it's only hype at the moment."

Newly re-signed Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce joined Williams in sitting out the contest, but there were club debuts for NSW centre Michael Jennings and James Maloney.

Toovey left out Brett Stewart, Matt Ballin and co-captain Jason King, the Roosters racing out of the blocks with giant winger Daniel Tupou opening the scoring after four minutes.

Jennings doubled his side's advantage when he darted out of dummy-half, both sides showing signs of ring rust as passes went astray and balls were dropped.

The Roosters extended their advantage when Issac Liu got the final touch to Daniel Mortimer's crossfield kick, young winger Jacob Gagan adding a consolation for Manly late in the game.

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